If we wanted to describe what kind of aesthetic or style we want in our home, then the IKEA MÄVINN collection hits all of it all at once. Beautiful pieces, sustainable, harmonious colors and made by artisans from all over the globe. Not just any artisans, mind you, the collection is made by various social enterprises that help combat poverty by empowering the craftspeople and creating jobs for them. It’s like visiting a local craft market, but instead IKEA has provided a platform for people who might not otherwise be able to access this market.

It’s been 12 years since IKEA first started collaborating with social businesses around the world, and the collaboration is still going strong today. Together, they develop unique, handmade products designed to create jobs for women and marginalized groups in regions where it’s most needed. As of today, the partnerships continue to generate work for 11,000 people.

This time, five social businesses were part of the making of the MÄVINN collection. From India, Rangsutra’s rural women artisans create handcrafted, woven and hand-embroidered textiles while expert women preserve traditional hand weaving techniques at SPUN, and Ramesh Flowers makes use of organic materials like nutshell, bark, and more to create beautiful eco-friendly floral and potpourri products. Classical Handmade Products in Bangladesh has also taken the sustainable route where handmade products are made using only garment waste and natural fibers such as jute and banana fiber. A little closer to home, the Jordan River Foundation has been helping create jobs and increase integration between women refugees and local women artisans by turning to traditional handicraft skills.

While they all create different products, they have mostly common goals that include providing the creators from marginalized or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with fair wages, training and sustainable livelihoods while protecting the environment, reducing waste, promoting sustainability and preserving traditional crafts.

By preserving age-old techniques like weaving, embroidery, and natural dyeing, these organizations support the artisans’ economic independence and ensure the continuation of cultural heritage. The collaboration with IKEA allows these social enterprises to reach a global market, amplifying their impact and helping to create positive social change through beautifully handcrafted products.

It is obvious that much love and skill have gone into the making of the MÄVINN collection. Each and every item in the collection is either woven, braided or embroidered by hand. The IKEA designers envisioned MÄVINN to be inspired by traditional, buzzing crafts markets. While we feel that every product in the collection has its own expression and handpicked feel, the vibrant colors and recurring patterns brings the entire collection together.

The collection itself is a testament to the beauty that human hands have always been able to create. They feel personal and unique, the slight variations in each MÄVINN makes them feel extra special. All products are made of cotton or jute, sourced where the social businesses operate. 
Every product results from a close collaboration between IKEA, the artisans and the social businesses and embodies the idea behind the collection: creating jobs and standout handcrafted items at a great price by utilizing everyone’s skills.

The collection includes a diverse range of products such as baskets, bags, rugs, cushion covers, bedspreads, bathrobes, plant pot hangers, throws, and pouches. We want them all. We can put the jute baskets to use in different rooms all over the house. We can even imagine ourselves using the hand-woven braided jute basket as a beach bag this summer or for picnics later in the year when the weather cools done. One of the highlights of the collection is a basket, in natural and multicolored designs, including a special cat basket that ensures everyone in the household has a place to sleep.

The flatwoven runner with its colorful dots can easily be placed in children’s room to give it a more earthy feel or in living room to add subtle colors while the flower-shaped rug can add whimsy to any space.The soft bath robe gives you a magical spa-like experience. The striped 100% bedspread and throw add a luxurious but warm feeling to the bed. Our hanging plants will look much better in the handmade macrame plant pot hanger too.

Every piece tells a story of cultural heritage and empowers the artisans who created them.  When something is made by hand it feels intentional, mindful and a gift of time and care. The MÄVINN collection reminds us that collaboration can truly change not just individuals’ lives but also whole communities.

Shop the MÄVINN collection at IKEA the Avenues, IKEA the Warehouse (Sabahiya), IKEA 360, IKEA Assima, IKEA Khiran or online at www.IKEA.com.kw. For more information, please call 184 0408 or follow @IKEAKuwait on Instagram.